“I’m aware,” I said.
“And you want to ensure she can’t access any more of your assets.”
“I want to protect what’s left.”
Margaret nodded slowly. “Walk me through your current estate plan.”
I explained it was simple—too simple, I realized now. Jennifer was my sole beneficiary. She had power of attorney for health care decisions. Our accounts were set up so she could access them if I became incapacitated.
“So theoretically,” Margaret said carefully, “if something happened to you, Jennifer would inherit everything immediately.”
My stomach turned. “Yes,” I said. “And she knows this. We discussed it years ago when Robert died.”
Margaret was quiet for a moment, then pulled out a legal pad. “Mrs. Patterson, I’m going to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me. Do you have any reason to believe your daughter might try to accelerate her inheritance?”
The question hung in the air like smoke. “I don’t know,” I said finally.
“Six months ago, I would’ve said absolutely not. Today… I don’t know what to think anymore.”
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